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AUGUST 23, 2018 — Columbia Association (CA) has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for achieving the ambitious 20% goal set as a partner in the Better Buildings Challenge.

The Better Buildings Challenge is a DOE program that works with market leaders to encourage their adoption of cost-effective and proven strategies to improve the energy efficiency of the nation’s buildings, manufacturing plans and multifamily housing.

Columbia Association instituted a robust energy management program in 2012. Through its efforts, CA has seen savings of approximately 20% across its portfolio. Participants in the Better Buildings Challenge have saved a combined $3.1 billion since 2001.

“We are thrilled to be recognized as a leader in reducing energy consumption, lowering utility costs and protecting the climate,” said Jeremy Scharfenberg, CA’s energy manager.

Over the past five years, CA has worked aggressively throughout its building portfolio to advance clean energy practices, including installing high-efficiency LED lighting, ENERGY STAR® HVAC equipment, combined heat and power technology, and advanced building operation and maintenance practices.

“Congrats to Columbia Association for achieving its energy reduction goal as part of the Better Buildings Challenge,” said Daniel Simmons, principal deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “Our goal achievers have demonstrated leadership, hard work and an impressive willingness to share ideas with their peers. We look forward to seeing the next set of goals they put into action.”

Through the Better Buildings Challenge, the DOE aims to make commercial, public, industrial and residential buildings 20% more energy-efficient over the next decade. This means saving billions of dollars on energy bills, reducing emissions and creating thousands of jobs. More information is available here.

Earlier this year, Columbia Association also received an ENERGY STAR Certificate of Recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which recognized CA for its integration of energy management practices into daily operations and its promotion of energy efficiency in the community.

About Columbia Association

Columbia Association (CA) is a nonprofit community services corporation that manages Columbia, Maryland, a planned community that is home to approximately 100,000 people and several thousand businesses — and was named the No. 1 small city to live in by Money Magazine in 2016. Additional information about CA is available at ColumbiaAssociation.org.